USAID supports people with disabilities in Vietnam

ABO/NDO – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has committed to providing assistance to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities in seven priority provinces in Vietnam.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (centre) and delegates witness the signing of the memorandum of intent.

Under the memorandum of intent signed on April 20, USAID and the Standing Office for the National Committee on the Settlement of Post-War Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Office 701) will coordinate with the Ministries of Public Health, and Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and local organisations in providing direct care, improving the capacity of rehabilitation services, and developing social services to better serve people with disabilities in the provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Binh Dinh, Dong Nai, Binh Phuoc and Tay Ninh.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh stated that over the past years, Vietnamese and US offices and organisations have worked closely in caring for people with disabilities who are victims of dioxin and toxic chemicals. These are practical and humanitarian activities that need to be further accelerated, thus contributing to helping the disabled people to rise above difficulties in life, he said.

Michael Greene, Mission Director for USAID Vietnam, said that USAID currently continues its support for persons with disabilities in Vietnam through eight projects which aim to expand social and rehabilitation services for the disabled and improve disability policies, aiming to improve their quality of life.

The signing of the memorandum of intent was witnessed by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, Vice Chairman of the US Committee on Appropriations Senator Patrick Leahy, and other US senators who are on the Vietnam visit.

(Source: NDO)